Teas Bulb Room Info

Coming Soon: Fall Planted Bulb Selections

We recommend planting bulbs by the Holidays:

(Recommendations for Houston, Texas Area)

Descriptions of Fall Planted Bulbs

Allium - Plant 2” deep for smaller bulbs; 6” deep for larger bulbs, Sept. to March. These perennials are members of the onion family, like good drainage, and flower from spring to summer. Bulgaricum, Purple Sensation, Schubertii, and Ivory Queen, to name a few, will be available at Teas.
Amaryllis - necks need to be exposed above ground level. Of great importance, Amaryllis like well drained beds in a sunny location. Plant from Oct. to Jan. Amaryllis are perennials that add beauty to the garden. Their large trumpet-shaped flowers appear in stunning colors of red, pink, salmon, white, orange, yellow, and bi-colors from Dec. to April. Single flowering and double flowering varieties will be available. Our Bellaire store will carry over 30 varieties this year.
Anemones - Plant 1 to 2” deep, 3 to 4” apart from Oct. through Dec. These windflowers are considered annuals and appear in colors of white, red, blue, lavender, etc. Anemones must be soaked 2 to 4 hours in room temperature water before planting. Plant on their side for best results. Good cut flower.
Calla - Plant 3 to 4” deep, about 1” apart from Sept. through Nov. Callas like good drainage and light shade. Perennials.
Crocus - Plant 1” deep, 2 to 3” apart in Oct. or Nov. These annual bulbs are a true sign of early spring. Crocus Sativa (Saffron) is used as a spice. It takes 35,000 dried yellow pollen grains to provide one pound of Saffron, worth thousands of dollars.
Freesias - Plant 1 to 2” deep in Oct. or Nov. Freesias are very fragrant and appear in a rainbow of colors, white, red, yellow lavender, and pink. White and yellow Freesias naturalize best in Houston. They are good cut flowers. They like good drainage and spring sun for best flowering.
Hyacinths - Dutch, plant 5” deep from Nov. through Dec. Dutch Hyacinths are fragrant annuals that appear in an array of colors, white yellow, pink, rose, and blues. The Dutch varieties are best for forcing in Hyacinth vases.
Iris - Bearded, plant high in raised beds from Aug. through Nov. These Iris like raised, well drained beds, sunny location, no mulching, and an alkaline soil. Agricultural limestone, dolomite lime or garden lime will help keep beds more alkaline. Plant with fan facing toward the front, barely covering the rhizome. New sprouts should not be covered. Pea gravel will further help anchor the roots. Bearded Iris may skip a blooming season occasionally.
Iris - Dutch, plant 2 to 4” deep in Oct. or Nov. Dutch Iris naturalize in Houston and appear in color shades of blue, purple, yellow, and white. They need very good drainage and a drier bed during summer months. They are excellent for cut flower arrangements.
Leucojum - Plant 2 to 3” deep in Oct. or Nov. Leucojum naturalize and prefer a shady to semi-shady location. The flowers are white and bell-shaped with grass-like foliage. They are great in floral arrangements.
Lycoris - Spider Lily, Hurricane Lily, and Naked Lady, plant with necks above soil line in July through March. Lycoris are perennials that bloom in the fall with shades of pink, yellow, and red. Their spidery, funnel-shaped flowers are truly exotic. Lycoris will bloom and naturalize better in full sun, but half days are alright. Allow foliage to dry during summer dormant season
Muscari - Grape Hyacinth, plant 1 to 2” deep in Oct. and Nov. Grape Hyacinth are small border annuals that appear in grape-like clusters of blue.
Muscari Plumosum - Plant 1” to 2” deep in Oct. or Nov. Plumosum are annuals with purple feathery looking flowers and would be used as a border plant.
Narcissus - Daffodils, plant 4 to 5” deep in Nov. and Dec. Daffodils are considered a fool proof bulb for the Houston area. Due to our continuing warm temperatures, refrigeration of Daffodils is necessary. Some Daffodils naturalize; Fortune, Carlton, Ice King, Ice Follies, Thalia, etc. Others, however are annuals; Mount Hood, King Alfred, and all with apricot and pink centers.

Daffodils are classified into different divisions:
Trumpet - Alfred King
Large Cup - Fortune
Small Cup - Barrett Browning
Double - Sir Winston Churchill
Triandrus - Thalia F. Cyclamineus - Jack Snipe
Jonquilla - Baby Moon
Tazetta - Chinese Sacred Lily
Pocticus - Recurves
Species - N. Bulbocodium Conspectus
Corona - Orangerie
Daffodils look best when planted in clumps or drifts in a sunny location. A must for any garden.
Paperwhites - Plant 4” deep in Oct. or Nov. Paperwhites will naturalize when planted in the garden or in large pots. Fragrant white flowers appear 2 to 4 stems per bulb. Paperwhites can be forced in bowls or Hyacinth vases for indoor blooming. If forced, bulbs should be thrown away when blooms have finished. Teas will be offering Zinas, Galeleas, Ericheers, Chinese Sacred Lilies, and etc.
Ornithogalum - Star of Bethlehem, plant 2” deep in Oct. and Nov. Star of Bethlehem naturalizes here and is not difficult to grow. They are fragrant with black-centered white flowers on 12 to 24” stems. Long lasting in floral arrangements.
Ranunculus - Plant 2” deep, about 2 to 4” apart Oct. through Dec. Ranunculus are annuals unless you purchase the new varieties coming from Africa. Teas Bellaire sells both types so please ask if in doubt. These popular bulbs produce blooms 4” across in shades of red, pink, rose, white yellow, gold and orange. They also produce single or double flowers. Soak 2 to 4 hours in room temperature water before planting, with claws down. These beauties look great mixed with Anemones.
Rhodophiala - Bifida, Oxblood Lily, Schoolhouse Lily, plant with necks above soil line from Sept. through Dec. These small red Amaryllis like flowers appear in the fall. They naturalize well in Houston, and like a sunny location.
Scilla - S. Hispanica, Companulata, plant 2” deep in Sept and Oct. These Spanish Bluebells bloom in the fall in shades of blue, pink and white on 20" stems.

Scilla - S. Sibirica, plant 2” deep in Sept. and Oct. Blue Squill is one of the best for southern gardens. They naturalize, are deep blue in color, and do not like being disturbed too often.
Scilla - Peruviana, plant with neck just above or just under soil line in Sept. and Oct. Scilla Peruviana naturalizes and performs best in pot culture in Houston. They like a sunny location, fertilizer not required, and do not like being disturbed.
Sprekelia - Aztec Lily, Jacobean Lily, plant 1 to 2” deep in Oct. or Nov. Sprekelia will naturalize if winters are not real cold. They prefer full sun and their beautiful red color is exotic and unusual.
Tulips - Hybrid, plant 6” deep around Christmas or in Jan. Due to Houston's warm temperatures, Tulips must be refrigerated at 48 to 55 degrees for 8 weeks before planting. These annuals come in an array of colors, white, yellow, red, pink, purple, lavenders, two-tone, and etc. When Tulip bulbs are finished blooming, remove bulbs from the ground and throw them away. This is important, as bulbs should not be left in the ground over a year as next years bulbs can be affected, and not do well, even if they are new. If temperatures are warm at planting time, it is suggested to not grow them in pots. Teas will have over 30 varieties of Tulips this year.
Watsonia - Bugle Lily, plant 3” deep from Sept. through Nov. Watsonias are a member of the Gladiola family and need to be planted toward the back of the garden. They naturalize well in Houston. The blooms appear in shades of red, peach, white, and pink.

Depending on size of clear bowl or saucer, add one teaspoon or tablespoon of activated charcoal to the bottom of bowl, add peagravel about 3/4 of the way up and place the Paperwhite in odd numbers (3 to a 6” or 5 to an 8” bowl), so that they do not touch each other. Add more peagravel to help anchor bulbs in place, covering 3/4 of the bulb. Add water to a level just below the bulbs. Water level must stay constant, just below the bulbs. The bulbs cannot touch the water or rotting will result. Let the roots reach down to the water. Remember to watch when adding water that it doesn't touch the bulbs. Bulbs will normally bloom in about 4 to 6 weeks. After blooming has finished, throw bulbs away. Ziva Paperwhites do not have to be placed in dark area, their roots and sprouts will form at the same time.
Chinese Sacred Lilies and all other Paperwhite varieties follow the same set-up process, but must be placed in a dark area or closet for 4 to 6 weeks. Remember to watch the water level and add as needed. When sprouting occurs, the sprouts will look white or brown. Do not worry. Gradually place bowls into a sunny location. During the next 4 to 6 weeks the sprouts will turn green and flower.. When blooms fade throw bulbs away. Why not experiment and enjoy these fragrant fool proof bulbs.

Forcing Hyacinths
Add a few pieces of activated charcoal in the bottom of a Hyacinth vase. Add water to the vase so that the water stays underneath the bulb, not touching it. Let the roots reach down into the water. Place the vase with bulb in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks. Cover with a small paper bag to keep light out. Check weekly for water evaporation and add water as needed. Bulb will start sprouting during this time. After 8 weeks gradually move vase to a sunny location. In another 4 to 6 weeks the flower will appear. After the flowers are finished blooming, throw away.

Teas Bulb Info Sheets On Line:
Caladium Matters
Spring Bulb Selection Guide

Bellaire Bulb Specialist Lynn Martin

Teas Nursery 4400 Bellaire Blvd. (713)664-4400

New Hours: Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM
Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM
Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM

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